Sharon Rita Otieno is a Mastercard Foundation Program Scholar working in Somalia. She is a passionate advocate for young people who are displaced. Her work and academic journey is rooted in a strong sense of purpose to support opportunities for those who have historically been excluded from them. Sharon-Otieno Facilitating transitions for displaced people Sharon is pursuing a MSc International Development online. She is also working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in Somalia, which facilitates transition of Internally Displaced Persons and migrants towards durable solutions. “My focus is on understanding and improving the systems that impact displaced people more so in areas like youth employment, mentorship, education and sustainable livelihoods. Over the years, I have become deeply aware of the barriers that refugee and internally displaced youth face not just in accessing basic services, but in realizing their full potential.” Through working closely with communities affected by conflict and displacement, Sharon has seen brilliant, motivated young people unable to continue school because of border policies. She has encountered displaced women who dream of starting businesses but lack even basic identification documents. Their stories are daily reminders of the work we must do to ensure inclusion, dignity and opportunity for all. Community as a Superpower Sharon highlights that, for refugees and displaced young people, having avenues where they can feel heard and supported is powerful: I believe that community is a superpower especially for refugees and IDPs. I’ve witnessed how displaced communities create support networks, how young people mentor one another despite their own struggles and how shared experiences become the foundation for resilience. Expanding opportunities Sharon’s long-term goal is to develop and lead programs that expand education and livelihood pathways for young refugees and IDPs: "As someone who has been fortunate to access education and global platforms, I see it as both a responsibility and a calling to use that access to open doors for others.”Switching the narrative to emphasise the positive outcomes that displaced communities lead, is part of the process Sharon aims to develop: I seek to design interventions that are not just inclusive on paper but transformative in practice, programs that recognise refugees not as victims, but as leaders and change agents based on their own potential. Refugee Week is a reminder that support can come from many places, not just from shared experience, but from shared values.The MSc International Development is proving useful because of its emphasis on critical thinking, social justice, global development and locally grounded solutions to global challenges. I want to become part of the solution and so the programme is and will continue to equip me with these tools to turn my passion into a sustainable and impactful solution. Responsibility to act Reflecting on the theme of Refugee Week 2025 – Community as a Superpower – Sharon highlights how people can use their privilege and take responsibility. I may not carry the label of a refugee, but I believe I carry the responsibility to act. Community is our superpower when we use our privilege to create space, amplify voices and create avenues where all can realise their self-potentials. Discover more Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program International Organization for Migration (IOM) *This story is part of our 2025 Refugee Week series celebrating the resilience, creativity, and contributions of displaced people within the University of Edinburgh community.* Publication date 05 Jun, 2025
